RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif – Nearly two dozen organizations across Riverside County have been awarded almost $300,000 in asset forfeiture funds through a special county law enforcement program. A total of $281,477 in Asset Forfeiture Special Fund money is being awarded to 20 Riverside County organizations countywide for their programs combating drug abuse and diverting gang activity in high-risk elementary and secondary school age students.

The fund is maintained by the DA’s Office and the distribution of funds is determined by a panel consisting of the DA, the Sheriff, the Chief Probation Officer, and a Police Chief selected by the other police chiefs in the county – that currently being Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz. The amounts distributed this year ranged from $1,260 to $40,000.

“The work of non-profit and community-based programs helping at-risk youth and targeting drug abuse and gang activity in Riverside County is critical in keeping our communities safe,” District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “We want these organizations to know that their law enforcement leaders support them and this asset forfeiture fund program is a way for us to help them keep their very important programs going.”

The DA’s Office files and prosecutes civil narcotics asset forfeiture cases which arise when a law enforcement agency makes a seizure of currency involved in the sale, transportation, or manufacturing of illegal narcotics, pursuit to state Health and Safety Code section 11470. The intent of the state civil narcotics asset forfeiture laws is to remove the tools and profits from those involved in the illegal drug trade. When currency is forfeited to the state, a certain percentage is placed into a special fund set aside by the state Legislature to develop and maintain programs combating drug abuse and diverting gang activity in high-risk school age children and juveniles.